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Girl's mother pleads for information in killing

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The Associated Press

Published: October 24, 2009

ORANGE PARK - Somer Thompson last was seen alive walking along the sidewalk in front of a vacant house, and authorities said Friday they're searching for anyone who saw what happened to the 7-year-old.

Her teary but resolute mother warned her daughter's killer: "We'll get you." She pleaded for anyone with information to "please, please tell" police.

The day after the child's body was identified, authorities said they had ruled out all 161 registered sex offenders who lived within five miles of Somer's home. Despite pursuing hundreds of leads, police have not made an arrest.
Investigators sifted through evidence from the vacant house and the Georgia landfill where her body was found Wednesday after investigators followed garbage trucks there.
Somer vanished while walking home from her elementary school Monday afternoon. The vacant house is on her route through a heavily populated, well-manicured neighborhood, and witnesses last saw the girl alive in front of it. She had become upset as she walked home with other children and ran ahead of the group.

No witnesses have said they saw Somer attacked or abducted, said Clay County sheriff's spokeswoman Mary Justino.

"What we've been trying to figure out is who frequents that area, because, obviously, it's more than just the people who live there," she said.

An autopsy has been completed and investigators know how Somer died, but authorities won't disclose their findings or any details about the body.

At a vigil outside the Thompsons' home Friday night, Somer's mother, Diena, said she would not be able to see her daughter's body. "They are going to give me a lock of her hair," she said.

Thompson appeared red-eyed and said on ABC's "Good Morning America" that investigators will catch her daughter's killer. "We're coming for you," she said. "We'll get you, and hopefully justice will be served."

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